Method and apparatus for determining yarn bulk



Nov. 19, 1968 F. L. STOLLER 3,411,352

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING YARN BULK Filed Nov. 1, 1966 TAKE-UP 2 g 7 SPOOL BULK YARN HEATER TEXT. MONITOR FIG.

FROM POWER SOURCE INVENTOR.

F. L.. STOLLER A T TORNEYS United States Patent 3,411,352 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING YARN BULK Frederick L. Stoller, Greenville, S.C., assignor to Phillips Petroleum Company, a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 1, 1966, Ser. No. 591,201 Claims. (Cl. 73-160) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Insufliciently bulked sections of yarn are detected by passing the yarn through a tube to establish a fluid pressure within the tube which is affected by the bulk of the yarn and monitoring the established pressure.

This invention relates to methods and apparatus for determining the bulk of a yarn. In one aspect, this invention relates to methods and apparatus for controlling the texturizing of a yarn in response to the degree of bulk of the yarn. In another aspect, this invention relates to methods and apparatus for monitoring a textured yarn to detect the presence of untextured portions there- As a general rule, the use of a textured yarn in the fabrication of various and sundry fabrics requires that the yarn have a uniform or predetermined varying degree of bulk. In fashioning some types of wearing apparel from a textured yarn, it is desirable for the yarn to have a uniform and consistent bulk. In the case of a novelty slub yarn, it is in general desirable that the nubs or slubs be present in predetermined regularity. These and other types of textured yarn as a general rule have certain minimum standards with respect to the degree of bulk. In the carpet industry, for example, it is desirable for a carpet yarn to have a uniform and uninterrupted degree of bulk which is free of untextured portions. When an untextured section of carpet yarn is woven into a carpet, a defect results which has become known in the trade as a shiner. In view of the standards which must be maintained in the textile industry in order to manufacture products of acceptable quality, it has become necessary to maintain a close quality control on the yarns used.

According to this invention, a textured or bulked yard is monitored to determine the degree of bulk therein by passing the yarn through a tube at a velocity sufficient to affect the fluid pressure within the tube. As the yarn passes through the tube it drags or carries along a certain amount of air the velocity of which determines the fluid pressure within the tube. When the yarn is highly textured or highly bulked, it will carry more air with it at a higher velocity than will a yarn of less bulk because of the higher degree of lateral displacement of the individual filaments in the bulked yarn. By monitoring the fluid pressure established within the tube due to the flow of air and yarn through it, the degree of bulk in the yarn can be determined. This relationship between the fluid pressure within the tube and the bulk of a yarn being passed through it exists according to the physical phenomenon that the velocity of a fluid in a tube is inversely proportional to the fluid pressure created.

The fluid pressure created within the tube due to the passage of yarn and air through it is then used to establish a signal the magnitude of which is representative of the degree of bulk in the yarn. As the velocity of the air carried with the yarn and hence the degree of bulk of the yarn decreases, the fluid pressure established within the tube will increase. Conversely, as the Velocity of the air carried with the yarn and hence the degree of 3,411,352 Patented Nov. 19, 1968 "ice bulk of the yarn increases, the fluid pressure established within the tube will decrease. The signal established in response to the established fluid pressure can then be used to provide a continuous monitoring system.

While the method of this invention can be practiced with a variety of different apparatuses, one suitable type of apparatus includes a tube, means for passing a textured yarn through the tube at a velocity sufficient to affect the fluid pressure within the tube, and a suitable pressure monitoring means operatively connected to the tube for obtaining a pressure signal which is representative of the degree of bulk of the yarn. It is evident that the apparatus of this invention can assume a variety of different forms. For example, the means for passing the textured yarn through the tube can include any suitable texturizing and pickup means of types well known in the industry for producing textured yarn. Thus, it is possible to employ the apparatus of this invention between the texturizing apparatus and the takeup reel in any suitable texturizing appartus. In one embodiment of the invention, the signal which is established in response to the established fluid pressure in the tube is passed to a control for regulating the texturizing means and thus control the degree of bulk imparted to the yarn.

Any suitable pressure monitoring means can be employed in the practice of this invention. The signal which is established in response to the established pressure sensed by the pressure monitoring means can be used for a variety of different purposes including the actuation of an alarm to indicate that the bulk of the yarn is below minimum acceptable standards, that the speed of the yarn is too slow or too fast for the corresponding denier such that complete texturizing is not being effected, or to stop the texturizing operation so that untextured portions will not be present in the textured yarn.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to determine the degree of bulk in a textured yarn. Another object of this invention is to detect the presence of untextured portions in a textured yarn. A further object of this invention is to provide a method and apparatus for controlling a texturizing operation to obtain the degree of bulk desired. These and other objects of the invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art after studying the following detailed description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of an apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention; and

FIGURE 2 is a cross section of one form of an apparatus constructed according to the invention.

Referring now to the drawing, wherein like reference numerals are used to denote like elements, the invention will be described in more detail. Many controls, switches, and associated equipment, not necessary in explaining the invention to one skilled in the art, have been omitted from the drawing for the sake of clarity.

In FIGURE 1, a yarn 1 is stored in a yarn supply zone 2 located in proximity to a heater 3. A texturizing zone 4 and a bulk texturizing monitor 5 constructed according to the invention are situated so the yarn 1 passes through them. in traveling from the supply zone 2, through heater 3, texturizer 4, and bulk monitor 5 by means of drive roll 6 operating on a takeup spool 7 by electric motor 8.

In FIGURE 2, the bulk monitor 5 is illustrated partially in cross section to show the details thereof. The bulk monitor apparatus comprises a tube 9 having flared ends 11 through which the textured or bulked yarn passes after leaving the texturizer 4. The means for passing the textured yard from the texturizer 4 through the bulk monitor 5 at a velocity which is sufficient to affect the fluid pressure within the tube includes the previously described drive roll 6, takeup spool 7, and motor 8. Any suitable means for passing the yarn through the monitor 5 can be employed if desired. The pressure monitoring means of the bulk monitor 5 includes a passageway 12 which is connected to a reservoir 13 containing a current-conductive fluid 14. A pair of spaced electrical conductors 15 and 16 is positioned within the bulk monitor 5 to terminate within the reservoir 13 and passageway 12. Power from a suitable source (not shown) can be applied to conductor 15 and a third conductor 17. A relay (not shown) is connected to electrical conductors 16 and 17 and motor 8 in a manner which will stop motor 8 when the bulk of the yarn decreases below an acceptable predetermined level.

Other pressure monitoring means can be used for detecting changes of pressure established in tube 9 as a result of changes in the bulk of the yarn. passed therethrough. For example, a pressure transducer can be positioned within tube 12 to sense pressure changes and to establish a signal responsive thereto. A suitable transducer which can be used for this purpose is the Model 409 Bellows-Potentiometer type transducer marketed by Bourns, Inc., 1,200 Columbia Ave, Riverside, Calif. The signal established by the transducer can then be used to control motor 8 or the texturizing means as desired.

In practicing the method of this invention by means of the apparatus illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2, the yarn 1 is passed from the yarn supply zone 2 through heater 3 wherein it is preheated before being passed to the texturizer 4. The preheating step can be eliminated if desired. After the yarn has been texturized, it is passed through the bulk monitor 5 to takeup spool 7.

The textured yarn is passed through the bulk monitor 5 at a rate sufficient to affect the fluid pressure within tube 9 in the bulk monitor. Since the textured yarn will carry along a certain amount of air with it, a fluid pressure representative of the degree of bulk will be established. This established fluid pressure is monitored and can be used to control motor 8 or texturizer 4 in response to a change in the degree of bulk in the yarn. For example, if the bulk of the yarn decreases below minimum acceptable standards, less air will be carried with it through the bulk monitor 5 and the established fluid pressure will increase. This will lower the level of the fluid in passageway 12 such that the flow of current in electrical conductor 16 is interrupted. This will cause the flow of current to motor 8 to stop and corrective measures can be taken to eliminate the yarn which is below minimum acceptable standards.

While the invention has been described in considerable Cir detail, it must be understood that this description is for the purpose of illustration only and that many variations and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

I claim:

1. A method of determining the degree of bulk in a textured yarn comprising passing the textured yarn through a tube at a velocity suflicient to aflect the fluid pressure within the tube thereby establishing a fluid pressure Within the tube which is representative of the degree of bulk of the yarn and monitoring said established fluid pressure.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein a signal is established in reponse to said established fluid pressure, and said signal is passed to a texturizing means to control the operation thereof in response to said established fluid pressure.

3. Apparatus for determining the degree of bulk in a textured yarn comprising a tube; means for passing the textured yarn through said tube at a velocity sufficient to affect the fluid pressure within the tube and to establish a fluid pressure which is representative of the bulk of the yarn; and pressure monitoring means connected to said tube for measuring said established pressure to determine the degree of bulk in the yarn.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said pressure monitoring means includes a means defining a passageway in fluid communication with said tube, and a pressure transducer positioned in said passageway to establish a signal representative of the pressure in said passageway.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said pressure monitoring means includes a means defining a passageway in fluid communication with said tube, a currentconductive fluid within said passageway, and a pair of spaced conductors connected to said passageway for transmitting an electric current through said current-conductive fluid when both conductors are within said currentconductive fluid in response to the pressure within said tube.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,843,882 7/1958 Lewis et al 7337.7 XR 3,166,821 1/1965 Furlong 28-1 3,301,647 1/1967 Shafer 73-37.7 XR

S. CLEMENT SWISHER, Acting Primary Examiner. I. NOLTON, Assistant Examiner. 

